The Jewish New Year, as it is known in English
language, is a solemn festival observed in the Fall. It is
also the beginning of the "Ten Days of Repentance" that
culminate on the Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur.
There are three major themes in the Rosh Hashanah
liturgy: Malkiyoot - G-d is King of the Universe; Zikhronot -
G-d remembers our deeds and judges us; and Shofarot -
G-d will redeem us to the sound of the Shofar, the ram's
horn.
According to the tradition, G-d opens the Book of Life
on these days and inscribes our fate for the coming year.
The Mahzor - The High Holy Days prayer book teaches us
that prayer, repentance and righteousness can avert the
severe decree.
Many people eat from the round challah on Rosh
Hashanah which is symbolic of our wishes for a full
complete year. We traditionally eat an apple dipped in
honey along with the prayer: "May it be G-d's will to
renew us for a good and sweet year."
Hence, I offer to all my Jewish friends & subscribers
a customary greeting at this holiday: "L'Shanah Tovah
Tikatevu" - "May G-d inscribe you in the Book of Life for a
good year."
However, being religious never prevented me from
being funny. As The Joke Mistress, I can't stay serious for
too long. Therefore, I close my little lecture with a little joke.
LadyHawke
~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Jewish-Chinese Dialogue"
A Jewish man and a Chinese man were conversing.
The Jewish man commented upon what a wise
people the Chinese were.
"Yes," replied the Chinese, "Our culture is over 4,000
years old. But, you Jews are a very wise people, too."
The Jewish man replied, "Yes, our culture is over
5,000 years old. We're about to celebrate the New Year
5,759!"
The Chinese man was incredulous, "That's impossible,"
he replied.. "Where did your people eat for almost two
thousand years?"